As mentioned previously, one of the first orders of business I would like to investigate in my new role is a survey of existing practice in FASS and the gathering of faculty feedback and opinion on educational technology – good, bad, or indifferent. With this in mind I am contemplating distributing a brief questionnaire using a Google Doc form that seeks to answer these questions. Given the already busy schedules that many academics keep, I want to keep it relatively short, and thought it best to limit the number of questions to no more than 5. Below are my initial thoughts on the five questions. I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions people may have. ————— 1) Please briefly describe your philosophy on learning and teaching. What role does the teacher play in the learning process? What role does the learner play? 2) Do you presently incorporate any form(s) of technology into your courses? If so, what are they? Examples might include (but are not limited to) use as a delivery mechanism, collaborative or creative space, vehicle for communication or discussion, instructional tool, or reflective space. 3) Are you interested in exploring or discussing new or different methods of learning and/or teaching? 4) Do you have concerns or criticisms about use of elearning or educational technologies? If so, what are they? Areas to consider might include pedagogical, philosophical, technological, accessiblity, resourcing or time investment requirements. 5) Any other comments you would like to make, or questions you would like to ask?
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Recent Comments
G’day Mike,
I applaud the idea, but based on my experience I wonder how effective it might be.
The barriers I see are first the general malaise of academics. I think this will be a very contextual thing. The academics in the faculty you work with may be different. With some of the academic units I’m familiar with, I doubt that response would be high or even representative. I would imagine it being the innovators, those that are keen, responding and not the majority.
Thinking of my local context, I also wonder how the hierarchy would feel. i.e. in some situations I know of some faculty management who would want to be told about this, convinced of its worth and allowed to apply their stamp of approval before release.
The other barrier I wonder about is the Google docs. The last couple of years in particular has taught me to not under estimate the difficulties even the simplest of new technologies can create for a significant number of academics.
I like the questions you’ve asked.
I wonder if there are some other ways you might be able to get this information, without having to ask. In my experience, academics who think you’re expecting them to do work for you, will react negatively (regardless of whether you could get the information without them).
I also wonder about how you’d apply the survey. I can see the efficiency of a global mail out but I can also see it being less personal and potentially having lower response rates. Is it possible to use it as an interview schedule as you are talking with the academics in a one on one situation?
The problem you’re trying to solve is perhaps the most important of all problems with encouraging innovation in learning and teaching and the one problem I’m not sure anyone has really done well. i.e. getting to know all of the folk you are supporting and figuring out what you can do to help them.
It’s a problem we’re struggling with and I’m not happy with the answers being given. So, I’m hoping to reflect and blog about it in the near future.
Will keep a close eye on what you’re doing and how it goes.
Good luck.
David.
@David Jones: Thanks very much for your thoughts on this, David. The experiences you’ve described are quite similar to my own really – so I have been contemplating the same sorts of questions.
I’d initially thought of contacting the Heads of School to introduce myself and explain what I was trying to do, and ask if they would be willing to pass along the request on my behalf. I’m quite conscious of how politically sensitive something like this is – especially given I’m unfamiliar with many of the internal dynamics in the faculty.
At the same time, as you said, there may in fact be ways I can gather the same sorts of data via other means. I’ll definitely be looking into it. As much as anything, the questions were a preliminary attempt to define for myself what I’m actually attempting to achieve, and the information I need to know moving forward.
Perhaps an even larger consideration than this though is what Leigh Blackall commented in the wake of my last post:
Would you agree with his thoughts?
It’s fantastic to have such meaningful feedback from you all on this, it’s really helping me frame the tasks ahead. As you say, there are not necessarily easy solutions – but it’s still important to know what the questions and issues are and be able to see things holistically.
More blogging from me on this as well, almost certainly.
Thanks again!